Team: 2019-20 Tampa Bay Lightning

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 20, 2019

Published: Apr. 21, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

First things first: Point gets a pay day after his stellar season. I'm hoping he doesn't consistently disappear in the playoffs. Erne had a solid year as well and will provide some affordable depth in the bottom 6. He also helped Tampa have the best penalty kill during the regular season. Myers comes in as a direct replacement for an aging Stralman with it looking likely he'll leave Winnipeg in the summer. He'll be expected to be the top RHD and eat a lot of minutes in all situations. To squeeze under the cap, Callahan needs to be moved. I've chosen Chicago as it's possible he is willing to go there (waive his NMC) and he should be able to help their lackluster penalty kill. They don't have too many guys to re-sign and have some cap space, so they can afford him for a single year, since there's no way he makes 5 mil per again if he doesn't retire. Cally won't have too much value of course, so I'll just take a mid/late rounder. The team is still just over the cap, and someone is going to have to be shipped out. The most obvious candidate is JT Miller, with the only catch being his 10 team no trade list. I figure teams like Edmonton are likely on that list, so he won't be going to a perennial rebuilder. Columbus seems like a good fit since Miller fits their style. He's pretty young still, has size, and is defensively responsible. Columbus will likely need to replace some of their forwards with Panarin and possibly Duchene on their way out. They will also have to shell out some dough to Werenski and will likely be looking for a goaltender unless they feel they can a Kinkaid/Korpisalo tandem. Even after signing Werenski, they'll have 20 mil in cap space to work with though, or just over 15 mil with Miller on the roster. I have heard that Dzingle wants to stay in Columbus, but Columbus should still have over 10 mil in space if Dzingle does re-sign. As for compensation, top 6 forwards with term have a price to pay. I'm looking for a depth roster player here plus some change at minimum. I like Riley Nash as a penalty killer, but I'd also be interested in Josh Anderson, who is essentially a cheaper but less versatile Miller, as Miller can play both center and wing. I'm going to go with Nash here as the main piece though, as Columbus seems to value Anderson quite a bit. Nash will also make Paquette expendable, though he'll realistically only fetch a mid round pick. I'll send him to Philly, who could use some help on the penalty kill. I'll also take the RFA rights to Markus Hannikainen, who will be a cheap 4th line forward. I'd take a mid round pick too, but Columbus is already lacking in the pick department and I don't see them shelling out any more picks. I'll take a somewhat older prospect instead with Stenlund, who was alright in the AHL but not exceptional. He does still have some room for growth though, so I'll send a mid round pick back to try and balance the deal. Stenlund will likely spend the year in Syracuse. I'm hopeful Cal Foote will be able to play in the NHL at this point, though if he's not, a cheap RHD like Chad Ruhwedel could be signed to slot into the bottom pair. The defense is noticeably weaker than it was this past year, but something has to give. I'd probably try to move Sergachev out for a decent dman on a good long term deal with Vasi's contract expiring. They likely won't win the President's again, but that's ok. Just don't get swept in the first round again.

Note: I am not a Tampa fan.

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